Parochial National School
School Details
Location
About
St Nicholas’ Parochial School is a co‑educational, child‑centred primary school situated in the heart of Galway City, Waterside, Woodquay, beside the Town Hall Theatre and within easy walking distance of the University of Galway and the University Hospital Galway. As the parish school of St Nicholas Collegiate Church, it welcomes children of all religious backgrounds and nationalities, delivering the Irish Primary Curriculum in an integrated manner that values creativity, critical thinking and civic responsibility. The school benefits from spacious, low‑pupil‑to‑teacher ratio classrooms and high‑tech IT facilities, providing a safe, secure and sustainable learning environment. A broad programme of extra‑curricular activities enriches the curriculum, including swimming, hockey, drama, Chinese, French, Zumba, music, yoga and a range of clubs such as Ladybirds and Brownies. An after‑school facility supports homework and offers additional activities, while the central location enables regular visits to local cultural and educational venues such as the Town Hall Theatre, Galway City Museum, City Library, Woodquay Park and the university campus. School hours run from 8.30 am, with infants finishing at 1.20 pm and first to sixth classes at 2.20 pm, preparing pupils for smooth transition to local secondary schools.
History
St Nicholas’ Parochial School opened its doors on 12 July 1926 in the Buckland Buildings, a Georgian house built in 1835 located next to the Town Hall Theatre and opposite the Courthouse in Waterside, Woodquay. Since its foundation the school has continued to serve the youth of Galway, maintaining a low pupil‑teacher ratio, spacious classrooms and modern IT facilities while fostering a safe, secure and sustainable learning environment.